Lot 360. Coupe libatoire en corne de rhinocéros, Chine, Dynastie Qing, XVII-XVIIIe siècle; 13,6 cm, larg 17 cm; 5 3/8 in., 6 6/8 in. larg. Estimate 20,000—30,000 EUR. Lot sold 27,150 EUR. Photo: Sotheby's 2008

délicatement sculptée sur le pourtour extérieur de personnages dans une scène lacustre continue et de pins débordant sur la bordure et à l'intérieur de la coupe.

A fineley carved rhinoceros horn libation cup, Qing dynasty, 17-18th century.

Note: This large carved rhinoceros libation cup is decorated with a continuous landscape scene which shows the influence of painted handscrolls. While similarly decorated libation cups more commonly depict idealized scholars and their attendants in arcadian landscapes of rocks, trees and water, the scenes often based on literary models, some examples also figure working people such as the present example. It is noteworthy that it belongs to a group of large libation cups profusely decorated with landscapes and water scenery where the artist has made full use of the groove found on the long curve of most horns to fashion a protrusion rather than a handle thus overriding any desire for functionalism. For comparable pieces, see Jan Chapman, The Art of Rhinoceros Horn Carving, London, 1999, figs. 77, and Thomas Fok, Connoisseurship of Rhinoceros Horn Carving in China, Hong Kong, 1999, pls. 149 and 162.

Sotheby's. Paris. Asian Arts. 12 Jun 08 04:00 PM